Episodes
Scott Duff--Everything Everywhere
Comedian/talk show host Scott Duff returns to deliver a state of the union. And it's a mixed bag. On the one hand, you got Trump & MAGA and all their diabolical toxins. But on the other hand, you got Everything Everywhere All...
Rummana Hussain--Chicago "Discovers" India
Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist Rummana Hussain breaks down her latest column. It's about how politics in India plays in Chicago. As Chicagoans struggle to fit things they don't understand into a familiar U.S. narrative. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N…
Terry Cosgrove On The Post-Roe Fight
William Barr testifies that Trump's election lie was bullshit. And 75 percent of Republicans say they believe it anyway. Ben riffs. Then Terry Cosgrove of Personal Pac returns to say stop wringing your hands and get to work. In particular, there are several crucial elections that the Dems must win …
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Yes, Lori's Running Again & Bailey's Big Pol…
June 10, 2022: Mayor Lightfoot announces she's running for re-election. That's just one of this week's news stories about which Ben & Dr. D riff. Also, Darren Bailey moves way ahead of Richard Irvin in the polls. Does Ben owe...
"In Memory Of Adam" and Salem Collo-Julin & Kerry Reid--A Chicago Rea…
Adam Cohen, a good friend of Ben's family, died at the age of 29. Ben reflects. And then it's a Chicago Reader Special as managing editor Salem Collo-Julin and theater critic Kerry Reid talk about the latest issue. One thing leads to another as the conversation flows from Fritz to Kina to Prince to…
Gregory Pratt--The Texting Mayor
MAGA has fallen in love with Elon Musk, who made his fortune selling cars to liberals. Ben riffs. And Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt returns for what we hope becomes a regular feature--Greg's Twitter page! Ben & Greg run thro...
"Elvis Is No King" and Monroe Anderson & Mike Nowak
Ray Charles says Elvis is a "punk" not a king. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson breaks down the January 6 insurrection hearings. William Barr, Rusty Bowers, Ivanka and more. Then podcaster/environmentalist Mike Nowak joins the conversation. Talking about the state of the Republican Party, Watergate, …
Marc Sims--Honestly Speaking
Podcaster Marc Sims returns to talk crime & politics. Or the politics of crime. More specifically, what politicians don't tell you about the message they're conveying. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif...
"Pence In Chicago" and Maya Dukmasova
Former Vice President Mike Pence comes to Chicago and makes a speech. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova from Injustice Watch returns. Time for a deep dive on Injustice's judicial evaluation site. For Ben, it's like eating fried chicken--once he starts he cannot stop. The back story of judges is fascina…
Charlie Meyerson--The Public Square
Radio newsman turned aggregator Charlie Meyerson returns to discuss the method to his madness, or the madness to his method, of writing the Public Square, his daily online column. Not sure he calls it a column. And a word or two about classic rock `n roll djs... See Privacy Policy at https://art19…
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Let's Talk Campaign Cash"
April 22, 2022--Ben & Dr. D riff on the week's news. But first...a brutally honest message from Neil Young. Or, Chicago's Neil Young. Then it's on to the deep dive about which candidate has how much money. A riff or two about...
Live At The Hideout--Rachel Hinton & Tina Sfondeles
For the June 7, 2022 First Tuesdays Show, Ben & Maya talked politics. I mean, folks, this is a deep dive for serious students of the political game. Sorry, rookies--no hand-holding here. Lots of talk about the Republican prim...
"Just Like Mom" and Monroe Anderson & Maya Goldberg-Safir
Voting guide time! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson reviews the good and bad news from yesterday's Republican primaries in South Carolina & Nevada. More MAGA madness. And journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir returns with an update on...
Troy LaRaviere--Guns In The Classroom
By chance, Ben began the day seeing an on-this-day-picture from 2015 of Troy LaRaviere on stage at the Hideout with the great Karen Lewis. That gets Ben & Troy--president of the Chicago Principals Association--talking about t...
Dave Glowacz's City Council Review
The Trib's editorial board endorses a Republican candidate for governor. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--the pride and joy of Inside Chicago Government--returns with city council clips. Yes, you Chicago City Council in action. Ward map, curfew, special meetings, casino and more. What a city. What a co…
Oh, What A (Last) Week: "Mayor Sawyer, II & Debatepalooza"
June 3, 2022: The time has come for Ben & Dr. D to riff on a week's worth of news. Even if Ben has COVID. And so riff they do, starting with...Alderman Rod Sawyer announces he's running for mayor. Mayor Lightfoot scoffs. And ...
Steve Cohen & Paula Froehle--The Year's Best Documentaries
Movie producers Steve Cohen and Paula Froehle return to talk about Doc10, their documentary festival that starts May 19 at the Davis Theater and the Gene Siskel Theater. This year's festival opens with The Janes, about the un...
"Pearl Clutchers" & Monroe Anderson
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy comes up with a very funny line about Mayor Lightfoot's critics. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk Trump, insurrectionists, congressional investigators, the backlash and more. Including, ...
Mia Henry--America's Undeclared War On Its People
Mia Henry--eduator and activist for freedom--makes her debut to talk the state of the union. Including identity, violence, the lessons of the past and what she calls, "the undeclared war this country has on its people." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice …
"George Carlin" & Peter Cunningham
Ben finally gets around to watching the HBO documentary about the great George Carlin. Well, the first half anyway. And now he can't stop talking about it. And Peter Cunningham--political speechwriter and great thinker--retur...
David Faris--Gun Cult
In the aftermath of mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas, Political scientist David Faris returns to talk about the Gun Cult that has taken over the Republican Party. And why how it's kept our country from enacting sane gun laws. Then a word or two about Thomas Friedman and his milkshake with Presid…
Kina Collins & Litesa Wallace--Women In The House
Indivisible Illinois hosted a virtual meeting on running for congress. And Ben was the moderator. (Thank you, Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth for the invite!) The guests--congressional candidates Kina Collins and Litesa Wallace. Kina is running against incumbent Danny K. Davis in the 7th district and Litesa…
Oh, What A Last Week: "Debates, Debacles and Phyllis"
Ben & Dr. D riff on a week's worth of the latest local political news. Such as...Richard Irvin ditches the Republican debate. Darren Bailey tries to soften his MAGA rough edges with a commercial dedicated to his hands. Sean C...
Rummana Hussain--Skin Care & Sneakers
Sun-Times writer Rummana Hussain returns to ask the question--why has Kyle Rittenhouse fallen in love with Johnny Depp? What do Kim Kardashian and Chuck Taylor All Stars have in common? What's the latest goop from Gwyneth Paltrow? And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal…